growed up

they say there comes a point in your life when you have to act "grown up" and you have to make your own decisions. No one can tell you what to do.

Well, I don't like it. Basically, I have a job-related decision to make this week and I'm still wavering back and forth on what to do. I'll probably be able to say more next week, but at the moment, it's all "up in the air" as they say.

In other news, I just wrote a paper proposal in Spanish because I'm going through withdrawal from not writing assignments in Spanish. I miss it so much, I wrote my assignment in Spanish and then put the translation in English at the bottom - both for my sanity and to find out what the professor will do. If anything, it made me smile.

Now, off to read about pietism and heresy. Tomorrow, 80's day in HPER class!

Todo es bueno, bueno es todo

Well, it's all good, my friends.

No, I don't have a job...yet. But I have found lots of possibilities and my resume and all that jazz is almost done, so I'm starting to feel better. At least the process has started, the ball is rolling, and so on and so forth.

Life is good. All is good, good is all.

4 questions summarize my life

...to summarize where my brain is, answer these questions:

1. A 1000kg car travels down the road with a constant velocity of 28 m/s due north. What is the net force on the car?


2. What was one of the main tenets of the Eastern Orthodox paradigm of mission?


3. Who was Tertullian? What makes him theologically significant?


4. What will I be doing when I graduate?

all i have to say is...

"Hi, my name is Two K's,

I rode the short bus...

So check me out!"

(apologies, I'm not in this picture, but it's the bus I rode)

give yourself a pin and get going

... my friend Mike, who's basically the same person as me, said this in October. I just found it now and it's basically exactly what I'm trying to live... (he even entitled the post, 'Popping the Christian Bubble'!)

The "Christian Bubble" is the network of friends in which all of the people share common ideals, beliefs, and convictions insofar as it relates to Christianity and God. We all have them, and they are not totally bad in and of themselves. God did intend for believers to have fellowship with one another. Our faith is not one to be lived out in isolation from one another. We need that network of Christians for support, community, and accountability. However, may I suggest that the same "Christian Bubbles" we need to survive as believers can also be a set back in out responsibility to reach the world. Here's what I mean. Often, we get so isolated from the world in our Christian circles that we lose all meaningful contact with the world that we are called to reach. We are so caught up with not being "of the world" that we isolate ourselves from it altogether. The whole idea of the unsaved coming to us is nice, but it just doesn't work that way. We can't just stay in our comfortable churches and wait for the unsaved to come running to us for answers. We have got to go to them and get our hands a little dirty. Having a solid Christian support system is a vital part of evangelism, but it is not healthy when that support system isolates us and thus hinders us from fulfilling the Great Commission. Many of us belong to "fundamental, evangelical, Bible believing churches." Shouldn't one of the purposes of such churches to be evangelism? If so, why are we creating the mindset of isolation from the world by establishing impenetrable Christian Bubbles? Think about it.

this is me, doing my homework

So, once upon a time, I ordered a book online for a class. I ordered it 1 week before classes started, hoping it would arrive sometime during the week classes started.

And, it didn't. In fact, it never arrived. 3 weeks after I ordered it, I could finally file a complaint and get a refund for the book.

I then ordered it from somewhere else where it came in 3 days.

So now, this is me, doing my catch-up homework, reading about 60 pages for class tomorrow. Can't you tell I'm doing my homework? Sometimes I'd like to do anything but...blogger and facebook are bad when I'm in that kind of mood...

So, like I said...

This is me, doing my homework.

Someone said that once...

Since I can't think of anything to post, here are some interesting quotes from all over my life...

"Don't tickle my napkin eater!"

"I'm the stupid neighbor girl..."
"No, not that kind of stupid!"

"And then we gonna eat some fruits."

"I'm captivated by the nuances of your face."

"Well, I wouldn't name my rabbit Wilfred."

(in order: Spring Break '05, Conversation with 'Laine, Emily, Colin, Hayley)

A little James Blunt will do anyone good...

My life is brilliant. My love is pure.

Things are looking up, my dear friends. Week 3 is looking a bit more manageable. And I'm starting to feel okay about saying "yes" to some things. I just need to know when to say "no" as well.

And I don't know what to do.

You know, people keep asking the doomed 2nd-semester senior question: and what will you do when you graduate? So, before you, too, ask that question: I don't know what to do.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful, it's true.

Maybe you pop-music fiends have noticed a trend. But let me say, you, my friends are beautiful. If you're not here, I miss you, as always. If you know of rockin' jobs where you are, shoot me an e-mail. I'm pretty open to just about everything.

It's time to face the truth...

The end of academia is coming to an end. So is my scattered post.

Peace

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrow like sea billows roll;
What ever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul;
It is well
It is well, it is well with my soul
with my soul;

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurrance control.
That Christ has regarded my helpess estate,
And has shed his own blood for my soul.

It is well with my soul;
It is well
It is well, it is well with my soul
with my soul;

My sin--O the bliss of this glorious thought!--
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well with my soul;
It is well
It is well, it is well with my soul
with my soul;

O Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
"Even so" it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul;
It is well
It is well, it is well with my soul
with my soul.

Why?

Why are all of you gone? Why does this Dordt community with such a reputation feel so shallow, so empty? Why will my mind not let the job-less future rest? Why do I feel so restless here? Why do I feel so changed, so usefully changed, yet so empty?

2 questions...

1. Do you shop at Wal-Mart? Why/Why not?
2. Do you donate to any charities? If so, how do you choose?

feelings running through my head... (and brain and body...)

- awkward
- odd
- un-normal
- frustrated
- apprehensive
- excited
- anxious
- self-conscious
- forward-looking
- backward-looking
- sintiendo falta de personas
- empty
- unsure

Anyway, this isn't a post created to make you feel badly for me. It's just how I'm feeling and I needed to get it out there.

endings

So, about this post...Blogger and my computer aren't agreeing at the moment, so I'm finally posting upstairs...silly computer. I think it's because it's low on memory.

In other news, I'm back from Connecticut. A wonderful trip that got me thinking about future job opportunities as well as missions and connections with people from all over the world.

I originally entitled this post "endings," because I had blogged about things like wrapping-up an end in Costa Rica, finishing the conference, and starting my last semester (D.V.) at Dordt. That's all true. I just feel as inclined to reflect on that :)

So, here's a fill to the post with only a title earlier.

Jehovah Jaira

New Englanding it Up

Welcome to New England. We've been here for about 6 days now. I feel like quite the traveler!

This week we were at a conference in Connecticut which was really good. A good time, great way to meet more people, expand your boundaries, and I've been learning a lot, too :) We're going back to the conference tomorrow, so we needed a place to hang for the weekend. We're at some of my family's in Pennsylvania, which has been really fun. We've been able to play with kids and sleep in and hang out. This morning we were greeted (woken up!) by a 5-year-old girl ready to hang out. It was funny, and, luckily, only 5 minutes before we were planning to get up!

Today we're heading into Philadelphia to see some of the sights and hang out. It turns out we'll be spending the night in a hotel in Philly because they can't take us to the train tomorrow morning, and then we'll be taking the train back to Connecticut tomorrow. The conference goes all through next week and we'll be getting back late Friday night. I'm excited to go back and hang out with people that I've gotten to know. We've met some amazing people, so hopefully we can keep these connections going. And, maybe this week, I won't hear the eternal "so what will you do when you graduate?" question!

Well, that's about it. We're heading to Philly soon. Should be an adventure with 3 kids, their parents, and the two of us. (Me & SVD). Hope all is well with you and yours. I'll be seeing some of you soon. For those of you I won't be seeing...keep in touch as always!

Jehovah Jaira

Respite from Respite...

I've been working like a crazy woman these past few days, doing respite for HH. I'm working because I know they need it, but it's exhausting. I've already worked 27 hours in 3 days (20 of those were straight) and have about that many left to work by the end of Saturday.

So I'm appreciating the break that was scheduled in for me today. Yesterday was an endless day. I go back from 3-3:30, 5-8, and then sleep over starting at 11pm.

In other news...Sarah comes back tomorrow! I'm excited, although sad she had such a short break at home. We leave in just a few days for Connecticut, a trip I'm really excited about.

Life here has pretty much gone back to normal. Work, killing time, thinking about books for next semester....except now I'm dreading the classes, worried I'll be "bored out of my gourd."

It will be good. At least it's only one more semester. And I have people to talk to :) That helps tons.

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas...

Merry Christmas!

¡Feliz Navidad!

Although the scenery outside remains brownish-green with no snow in sight, (that's only in my dreams, I suppose...), may you have a blessed Christmas wherever you are. Enjoy the day, the people, the food, and everything good about it... Jesus was born today!

Popping the Bubble

It's the new title of my blog. And I think it deserves some explaining. I realize that I haven't posted in a week, more or less.

I'm home. I ran across an airport to get home, but I got home, all in one piece. And as I look back on my semester and answer the "How Was it?" question, I've come to a conclusion for myself. I'm popping the bubble I live in.

Popping the bubble? You ask. The world is large, my friends, and my world got bigger by visiting Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and even Miami. My world is bigger by knowing people around the US and around Central America. My world is bigger knowing different perspectives.

And I want my bubble popped. I want to expand the way I understand things. And so I'm going to be 'popping the bubble' from now on. And my blog has moved from "La Vida Costarricense" to "Popping the Bubble." That's my mission.

beach

beach.
rain.
overcast.
sand.
beautiful.
friendships.
time to say goodbye.
change of scenery.
excitement.
nervousness.
anticipation.

Trying to leave Central America...and they won't let me leave!

Okay, so it's not as scary as it sounds on the title.

I'm in Guatemala City, hanging out in the airport, using free wireless, and waiting impatiently because the connection is slow and flaky. But it works, so I'm not going to complain too much. And it's free, which is rare now in US airports. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 2:55, but it is now leaving at 4:04, putting our arrival into Miami about 45 minutes late. Ultimately, it's not that big of a deal. We're spending Friday and Saturday in Miami for re-entry, beach visits, and a isit to Little Havana, but it would be nice to get there instead of just sitting around in the airport.

My trip to Guatemala was amazing. For 4 1/2 days I worked at a center for malnourished children, playing with them, loving on them, and just plain helping out. It was amazing. I've never seen more malnourished kids in my life, but they were also amazingly happy. Go here
for some amazing pictures!

Tomorow we go to South Beach for the day and have a talent show at night. On Saturday we're having "re-entry" orientation as well as a visit to LIttle Havana. Sunday I fly home, hopefully getting in at 6pm if stand-by works out well!

You can call me cell phone anytime after 8pm tonight, if you're one of "those" people. If I don't answer, I'm busy. But leave me a message and I'll get it!

Jehovah Jaira and much blessings.

One more blog for the road...

Hello my Friends,

I realize that it’s been an eternity since I’ve last blogged. To be perfectly honest, I’ve been swamped with so much to do that I haven’t even had time to go to the internet café. Last night was one of my favorite times all semester - I cooked for my family, we hung out, and I got to give them a scrapbook I made. This week was filled with projects and meetings and tests and all sorts of “end of the semester” type stuff.

Why? You ask. Yes, I do have two more weeks. But on Sunday, we leave for Guatemala. We’ll be there for ten days and then we’ll be spending the last three days of the semester in Miami, doing a “re-entry retreat.” Hopefully the experience will be hurricane-free this time!

Looking back, I’d say it was a good semester. Yesterday someone asked me that if I was given the opportunity to repeat this semester, would I do it? The truth is, this semester was great for the culture experience, for the friendships gained, for the family gained. But I’m not sure I would do the rest of the experience. I ended up having some struggles along the way these past few weeks in reference to differing opinions and frustrations with grading.

So, if it were everything but the way class is conducted, I would do it again. I would do the language school, the trips, the host families, and all of that. I wouldn’t do class where I’m left trying to form my own opinions and feel like I’m drowning or forced to believe (or say) something I don’t believe.

But, I would do the rest again. And I won’t look back negatively on this experience. My host family was such a huge blessing.

In other news, I went to the beach last weekend. Go here for pictures. There are also pictures of “Flat Stanley,” which some of you might understand what that’s all about. If not, you can always ask me later. Oh, and my Thanksgiving pictures are on there too. It was a beautiful (and tasty!) turkey.

Blessings to you all. Until Guatemala, or Miami, or Iowa (or whenever I get to the internet).

Jehovah Jaira